Michigan State defensive end William Gholston could benefit from Minnesota missing its starting tight end in Saturday's game.Mike Mulholland | MLive.com

EAST LANSING — Minnesota's personnel issues apparently don't end with the departure of leading receiver A.J. Barker.

The Golden Gophers (6-5, 2-5) will also be playing without starting tight end Drew Goodger and punt return man Marcus Jones when they play Michigan State (5-6, 2-5) at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday in Minneapolis. Both players are listed on the injury report released by the school this week.

Goodger has 12 catches for 114 yards and two touchdowns this season.

Jones, meanwhile, was averaging 15.7 yards per return after assuming the punt return duties from Barker.

As much as the Gophers will miss Goodger's pass-catching abilities, it will also hurt them not to have the blocking from the 6-foot-5, 255-pounder against edge rushers at Michigan State like William Gholston.

Gholston is tied for the team lead with 2.5 sacks and 5.0 quarterback hurries this season.